Utah AD discusses potential BYU games for 2017-18

By Chip Patterson | College Football/Basketball Writer

July 9, 2013 6:33 PM ET

BYU and Utah are working to schedule future games for 2017-18. (USATSI)

Discussion about renewing the Holy War rivalry between Utah and BYU has picked up over the past several weeks and it looks like the schools are close to finding some common ground, according to recent comments from BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe and Tuesday's video statement from Chris Hill, Utah's athletic director.

According to Hill, the two schools are very close to signing a contract for a home-and-home in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

"It seems that wherever I go during the summer, our fans and the BYU fans are interested in when we are going to play BYU in the future, and how it is going to unfold," Hill said. "I can assure you that Tom Holmoe and I have had many discussions, and we're very close to signing a contract.

"It looks like in 2017 we will be playing in the early part of September, and in an unusual situation in 2018 we will be playing the last game of the year."

Hill proceeded to explain in the video that the nonconference game will "help the league." It sounds like the Pac-12 was struggling with a future conference schedule, and the late season nonconference game for Utah will help the puzzle pieces fall in place for the rest of the league. According to Hill, an official announcement is expected by early August, if not sooner.

The possible renewal of the rivalry is as good a reason as any to revisit the insane ending of the BYU-Utah game in 2012.